Lead Tape in handle

[Snipe]

I currently have a Wilson Clash 100 V1.
It's been customized to 295 gr
balance 31,2 SW 285

I will be replacing the original Wilson Pro Performance with the tourna pro thin which is lighter by 3g according to my scale.

In order to keep, the specs i need to add some weight on the handle. (3g).

Where shall i add the lead on the handle? At the top of the handle or at the bottom?

Thanks,

Consider BlueTac as well. I feel like Irvin's answer is the dead nuts correct solution, but BlueTack is a bit easier to install / adjust / remove should you choose. There's also no chance you feel it under the grip.

 

[myth]

If you’re replacing the grip with a 3 g lighter on you need to add 3 g of lead tape centered on the grip. That will be 33 cm of 1/4” lead tape. I’d cut 2 16.5 cm lengths and place on on top of the pallet and the other below before wrapping the grip.

Thanks for your reply.

I have TW tungsten tape. So i should be using that instead if lead tape. Shall i wrap the Tungsten tape around the handle a the top and bottom of the handle? Or apply two strips of tungsten on the wide bevels? Sorry for my questions.

 

[Irvin]

Thanks for your reply.

I have TW tungsten tape. So i should be using that instead if lead tape. Shall i wrap the Tungsten tape around the handle a the top and bottom of the handle? Or apply two strips of tungsten on the wide bevels? Sorry for my questions.

To maintain the same balance the mass should be centered on the handle. So it does no matter if you put it at the top and bottom of in the center. For SW it is so close to the 10 cm pivot it work make much difference. There will be less to feel is you put the mass above and below the pallet rather than going around.

 

[BillKid]

Thanks for your reply.

I have TW tungsten tape. So i should be using that instead if lead tape. Shall i wrap the Tungsten tape around the handle a the top and bottom of the handle? Or apply two strips of tungsten on the wide bevels? Sorry for my questions.

Be careful I’m afraid tungsten tapes available are thicker than a thin lead tape like Tourna. Wrapping tungsten tape around the handle will likely increase a little bit the grip size. Unless your racquet has a buttcap that cannot be opened, I would rather suggest Blu tack to add weight to the handle. It’s very easy to use especially if you want to add just a few grams.

 

[Vladivital17]

What a thread, so many different opinions.

My take on it is that adding weght to the handle is not going to reduce the swing weight of course, however it can make the SWING PATH more smooth and easier to execute due to the new balance of the racket.

I am just now playing around with a TF40 305 (3 pth HL strung) and the swing path feels weird with the 1.30 gauge string it has.
I added 2nd overgrip (5 more grams) and I don't feel like the swing weight was decread at all but the racket felt more effortless to swing and moved through the air more fluently just because the balance was changed. The whole execution of the swing and the way the racket was moving my hand felt more natural and overall better.

I would say that if you want to change the way your racket swings, go ahead and try adding weight in the handle. This will have the most benefits to rackets that are more head heavy and to rackets whre you would like to increase the stability imo.

Cheers!

 

[TennisHound]

Try it and see how it feels, then adjust

 

[kvan]

I always wondered with lead tape. When you use it, must you cover it with electrical tape to prevent lead poisoning? Also, if you put it on your handle under the replacement grip, do you still need to cover with electrical tape?

Definitely not. Skin exposure to lead is not a leading cause of poisoning. You just can’t absorb lead to incorporate into the bloodstream easily that way. Lead paint dust or fine powders are where things can get scary- easy to inhale or consume a significant amount of lead that way. Just don’t eat a ton of lead tape off your frames and you’ll be fine.

This said, many players use an alternative (copper, tungsten) with the same results. Just note the differences in density of these alternatives as you’ll need to use different amounts to get to the same result compared to using lead.